Double adjustment for plate cylinders



Aug. 19, 1947. J. L. BLACKLEY ET AL DOUBLE ADJUSTMENT FOR PLATE CYLINDERS Filed March 23, 1944 '2 Sheets-Sheet l l-l- 'lll-Allll Aug. 19, 1947.

J. BLACKLEY ET AL DOUBLE ADJUSTMENT FOR PLATE CYLINDERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 23, 1944 Patented Aug. 19, 194? DGUBLE ADJUSTMENT FQR PLATE CYLINDERS .iames ll. Elackley and William P. V. Boss, Battle Creek, Mich, assignors to The Duplex Printing Press @ompany, tion of Michigan Battle Creek, Mich, a corpora- Alpplioation March 23, 1944, Serial No. 527,766

24 Glaims.

This invention is a double adjustment for plate cylinders of printing presses, and the principal object of the invention is to provide a mechanism capable of producing both longitudinal and transverse register of color printed images while the printing machine is running at any normal speeds, the two adjustments of register being effected at the will of the operator, and either adjustment being entirely independent of the other due to the use of ball bearing connections between the parts whereby the transverse and longitudinal register may occur when desired without one having any direct eiieot upon the other.

In color printing, the usual procedure is to carry the paper web between sets of printing and impression cylinders to obtain two or more colors rinted on one side of the web, and thence between other sets of printing and impression cylinders to print two or more colors printed on the opposite side of the web. Common practice entails a multiplicity of colors printed on one or both sides of the running web, each color being superimposed with exactness on the previously printed color.

In order to obtain this superimposition and continuous printing of colors, it often becomes necessary to use a multiplicity of units and carry the running web from printing cylinders of one unit to and between the printing cylinders of an other one or more units. The performance of this operation requires that the images on one set or printing plates should coincide minutely or register with like images produced by any suoceedin set of printing plates.

Our double adjustment of the plate cylinder, however, enables the printing cylinder to adjust the register either circumferentially or transversely while the press is in motion, and independently of the speed at which the press may be operating; and furthermore enables an adjustment in either or both directions in order to secur very close register or coincidence of colors.

We will explain the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one practical embodiment thereof to enable others familiar with the art to adopt and use the same; and will summarize in the claims the novel features of construction, and novel combinations of parts, for which protection is desired.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevation showing diagrammatically a printing press unit havin a superimposed color deck.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal ection through the mounting of the plate cylinders, showing our double adjustment for said cylinders, in the press shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 33, Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the line 5- 3, Fig. 2.

In the printing press (Fig. 1) the plate or printing cylinders are numbered l, 2, 3, and 3 respectively, while the impression cylinders are numbered 5 and 6 respectively. The web W is fed upwardly from the bottom of the press to and over a guide roll R and between the cylinders 2 and 6 and cylinders 4 and E to obtain two colors printed on one side of the web. From thence the web is passed between cylinders l and 5 and cylinders 3 and 5 to obtain two colors printed on the opposite side of the web. Similarly, a multiplicity or colors may be printed on one or both sides of the running web, each color being superimposed directly upon a previously printed color.

Our invention provides means for eflecting double adjustment of the plate cylinders l, 2, 3, 4, whereby any of said cylinders may be adjusted either circumferentially or transversely of'the web while the press is in motion, either adjustment being independent of the speed at which the press may be operating, to minutely register the colors in either or both directions.

Fig. 2 shows said means arranged in the mounting for one end of each printing cylinder. In Fig. 2 each of the plate cylinders l (2, 3, or d) are journaled in suitable bearings in frames 7 at each end of the cylinder, the plate cylinders being driven by gears on their related impression cylinders 5 or ii which mesh with gears 8 on the ends of the printing cylinders l (2, 3, or

Attached to each gear 8 is a housing 9 which carries a concentrically disposed ball bearing [6 whose outer race is firmly held in place in housing 8 by a snap ring ii. The inner race l2 of ball bearing l t is mounted on a sleeve l 3 and is rigidly secured thereon between a shoulder and a snap ring On the exterior of sleeve it are fine screw threads l 5 engaging a tapped bore of a sleeve l6. Also mounted upon sleeve I 3 is an operating hand wheel H and a lock nut l8, hand wheel I'l being rigidly attached to sleeve is by a pin IS.

The complete assembly, as above described, is held in relationship to the press proper through the medium of gear guards to and 2! and a bushing 22 which is secured to sleeve l6 by means of bolts 23. The thickness of gear guard 28 embraced between the parts 16 and 22 is such as to provide a sliding contact therebetween.

Extending outwardly from guard 20 is a pin 24 (Figs. 2 and 4) which slidably engages a pcripheral slot 25 in bushing 22, pin 24 preventing rotation of the assembled parts 56 and 22 while allowing lateral motion of sleeve it to permit adjustment of impression between the mating cylinders l and 5; 3 and 5; 2 and 6; and 4 and 6, for the setting of impression between the plate cylinders l, 2, 3, i and the impression cylinders 5 and 6.

Gear 8 has a sliding fit upon the shaft of plate cylinder 1 (2, 3, or 4) but is positioned axially of said shaft by means of an annular split plate 28 (Fig. 2) engaging an annular groove in the shaft of the cylinder so that any axial motion of gear 8 is communicated to the cylinder.

In the bore of housing 9 is a spiral keyway 2'; (Figs. 2 and 3) engaging the projecting splines of a slidable housing 23 which housing is free to move longitudinally and circumferentially. The bore of housing '28 carries a straight keyway in which slides a straight key 29 which is attached to the cylinder shaft by screws 33 (Fig. 3). Concentrically positioned in housing 28 is a ball bearing 3| whose outer race is held in position therein by a snap ring 32. The inside race of ball bearing 31 is mounted on a spindle 33 and is held thereto by snap ring 34. Spindle 33 is provided with threads engaging taps in the bore of sleeve 13. A lock nut 31 is mounted on spindle 33 to lock the spindle rigidly to the sleeve I3. At the end of spindle 33 is a hand wheel 35 rigidly attached thereto by a pin 36.

In operation, in order to obtain transverse re ister, lock nut I8 is first loosened by means of a wrench or other tool, and then rotation of hand wheel I! will cause an axial movement of sleeve 13 with respect to the plate cylinder by means of the threaded engagement of parts [3 and It. This movement of sleeve [3 is communicated through ball bearing ID to housing 9, and thence through gear 8 and plate 26 to the printing cylinder shaft. Since the intermediate connection of sleeve 13 to housing 9, and thence to gear 8 and the cylinder shaft, is through ball bearing l0, it follows that the rotation of the plate cylinder will have no effect upon the hand wheel adjustment I! or vice versa. After hand wheel I! is rotated into proper adjusted position, lock nut I8 should then be tightened again.

In order to obtain circumferential adjustment of the plate cylinder, the lock nut 31 is first loosened by means of a suitable wrench, and hand wheel 35 rotated in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, thus giving rotative motion to spindle 33. This rotative motion of spindle 33 is translated into axial motion of spindle 33 through the medium of the threads on members l3 and 33 respectively. Said axial motion of spindle 33 is imparted to housing 28 through the intermediate connecting element or ball bearing 3|. As housing 28 has spiral splines on its periphery it follows that any axial movement of housing 28 will produce a circumferential movement of housing 28 in relation to the housing 9, or in other words, will alter the circumferential relationship of the plate cylinder with respect to its driving gear 8. Since the connecting means between spindle 33 and housing 28 is the ball bearings 3 I, it follows that any motion of housing 28 circumferentially will not interfere with the circumferential movement of spindle 33, After hand wheel 35 has been rotated into proper adjusted position, lock nut 31 should then be tightened again. Hence, the two adjustments, above described, will operate independently of each other due to the use of connecting means in the form of ball bearings, and thus it follows that transverse and circumferential register can occur When and if desired without one adjustment having any direct. bearing upon the other. Therefore, we have provided a mechanism capable of producing either circumferential or transverse register of printing couples while the printing machine is running at any practical speed; and

a combination whereby either of the two adjustments can occur at the will of the operator, each being entirely independent of the other. Furthermore, due to the slidable arrangement of parts 16, 22, 24 and 25, it is possible to arrange the printing couples so that setting of impression is not interfered with by my arrangement.

We do not limit our invention to the exact forms shown in the drawings, for obviously changes may be made therein within the scope of the claims.

We claim:

1. A printing registry adjusting apparatus for a printing press having a frame with at least one impression cylinder and at least one plate cylinder in cooperative relation therewith, said registry adjusting apparatus comprising an extension on the printing cylinder shaft; a pair of concentric housings; the outer housing being connected to said shaft extension for rotation therewith, the inner housing being mounted for free endwise movement on and for rotation with said shaft extension, and for spiral movement relative to the outer housing; drive means for the printing cylinder mounted on said shaft extension; means for adjusting the inner housing in endwise direction to rotatably adjust the printing cylinder; and means connected to the outer housing for adjusting the printing cylinder in endwise direction.

2. In apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for adjusting the outer housing in endwise direction includes a pair of outer and inner members which are threadedly engaged; and means on which said outer member is mounted, said latter means holding said outer member at a fixed spacing from said frame and having interengaging parts for holding said outer member against rotation while leaving same free to move sidewise to meet variations in setting of the plate cylinder relative to the cooperating impression cylinder, whereby the adjustments of the outer and inner housings are independent of the setting of impression between the impression and plate cylinders.

3. In apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said means for adjusting the outer housing comprising a fixed member on the frame opposite the housings having a threaded bore; a shaft having a threaded engagement with the bore and having a rotary connection with the outer housing; means for rotating the shaft; and means for locking the shaft against rotation.

4. In apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said means for adjusting the outer and inner housings comprising a fixed member on the frame opposite the housings having a threaded bore; a hollow shaft having external and internal threads, the external threads engaging those of the bore; said shaft having a rotary connection with the outer housing; a second threaded shaft engaging the internal threads of the hollow shaft and having a second rotary connection with the in ner housing; means for individually rotating both shafts; and means for individually locking both shafts against rotation.

5. In apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said means for adjusting the outer and inner housings comprising a fixed member on the frame having an opening opposite the housings; a plate having a threaded bore nonrotatably mounted across the opening; a hollow shaft having external and internal threads, the external threads engaging those of the bore; said shaft having a rotary connection with the outer housing; a second threaded shaft engaging the internal threads of the hollow shaft and having a second rotary connection with the inner housing; means for individually rotating both shafts; means for individually looking both shaft ag inst rotation; said plate being laterally adjustable across said opening whereby said adjustments of the housings will be independent of the setting of the impression and plate cylinders.

6. In appa atus as set forth claim 1, said means for ad. the outer and housings comprisin a 1mm. :nehber on the frame having an opening opposite the housings; a laterally adjustable a threaded bore non-rotatably ll'lOL e opening; a hollow shaft I readed shaft engaging hollow shaft and hay W connection with the inper housing; inea dividually ro ating both shafts; and means for shafts ag st rotation.

7. A prin a printing 1 one impression cy nder at lerative relation.

cylinder in coo registry adjustin tension on the pr shaft; a pair of concentric hou ,,--gs; the outer housing being connected to said shaft extension for rotation therewith, the inner housing being mounted for free endwise movem on .d for rotation with 4 vgiral movement relative to the outer Slilg; said inner housing mounting means including a straight rey on the shaft extension ably a aight key way in the in housing; sai outer housing mounting mea; a spiral key on the inner housing engaging a spiral keyway in the outer housing; drive means for the 'nting cylinder mounted on 5? d shaft extension; means for adjusting the in er housin to rotatably adjust the prir i ai connected to the outer housin or ad ig the printin cylinder in endwise d 8. In apparatus se in said means for adju endwise direction includes outer and inner members which are th y engaged; and means on which said outer number is mounted, said latter means holding said outer member at a fixed 'ng from said frame having interengaging parts holding said outer member against rotation while leaving same free to move sidewise to meet variations in setting of the plate cylinder relative to the cooperating impression cylinder, whereby the adjustments of the outer and inner hou inde endent of the setting of impretween the impression and plate cylinders.

9. In apparatus set forth in claim 7, said means for adjustin the outer housin comprising a fixed member on the frame opposite the housings having a threaded bore; a shaft having a threaded t with the bore and having a rotary connection with the outer housing; means for rotating the shaft; and means for looking the shaft against rotation.

10. In apparatus as set forth in claim '7, said means for adjustim the outer and inner housings comprising a fixed member on the frame opposite the housings having a threaded bore; a hollow shaft having external and internal threads, the external threads engaging those of the bore; said fo th in claim 7, wherethe outer housing in shaft having a rotary connection with the outer housing; a second threaded haft engaging the internal threads of the hollow shaft and having a second rotary connection with the inner housing; means for individually rotating both shafts; and means for individually locking both shafts against rotation.

11. In apparatus as set forth in claim 7, said means for adjusting the outer and inner housings comprising a fixed member on the frame having an openin opposite the housings; a plate having a threaded bore non-rotatably mounted across the opening; a hollow shaft having external and internal threads, the external threads engaging those of the bore; said shaft having a rotary connection with the outer housing; a second threaded shaft engaging the internal threads of the hollow shaft and having a second rotary connection with the inner housing; means for individually rotating both shafts; and means for individually locking both shafts against rotation; said plate being laterally adjustable across said opening whereby said adjustments of the housings will be independent of the setting of the impression and plate cylinders,

12. In apparatus as set forth in claim 7, said means for adjusting the outer and inner housings comprising a fixed member on the frame having an opening opposite the housings; a laterally adjustable plate having a threaded bore non-rotatably mounted across the opening; a hollow shaft having external and internal threads, the external threads engaging those of the bore; said shaft having a ball-bearing connection with the outer housing; a second threaded shaft engaging the internal threads of the hollow haft and having a second ball bearing connection with the inner housing; means for individually rotating both shafts; and means fOr individually locking both shafts against rotation.

13. A printing registry adjusting apparatus for a, printing press having a frame with at least one impression cylinder and at least one plate cylinder in cooperative relation therewith, said registry adjusting apparatus comprisin an extension on the printing cylinder shaft; a pair of concentric housings; the outer housing being connected to said shaft extension for rotation therewith, the inner housing being mounted for free endwise movement on and for rotation with said shaft extension and for spiral movement relative to the outer housing; a drive gear mounted on the shaft extension and to which the outer housing is secured; said inner housing mounting means including a straight key on the shaft extension slidably engaging a straight keyway in the inner housing; said outer housing mounting means including a spiral key on the inner housing engaging a spiral keyway in the outer housing; said drive gear constituting the portion of the drive means connected to the printing cylinder through the registry adjusting apparatus; means for adjusting the inner housing to rotatably adjust the printing cylinder; and means connected to the outer housing for adjusting the printing cylinder in endwise direction.

14. In apparatus as set forth in claim 13, wherein said means for adjusting the outer housing in endwise direction includes a pair of outer and inner members which are threadedly engaged; and means on which said outer member is mounted, said latter means holding said outer member at a fixed spacing from said frame and having interengaging parts for holding said outer member against rotation while leaving same free to move sidewise to meet variations in setting of the plate cylinder relative to the cooperating impression cylinder, whereby the adjustments of the outer and inner housings are independent of the setting of impression between the impression and plate cylinders.

15. In apparatus as set forth in claim 13, said means for adjusting the outer housing comprising a fixed member on the frame opposite the housings having a threaded bore; a shaft having a threaded engagement with the bore and having a rotary connection with the outer housing; means for rotating the shaft; and means for locking the shaft against rotation.

16. In apparatus as set forth in claim 13, said means for adjusting the outer and inner housings comprising a fixed member on the frame opposite the housings having a threaded bore; a hollow shaft having external and internal threads, the external threads engaging those of the bore; said shaft having a rotary connection with the outer housing; a second threaded shaft engaging the internal threads of the hollow shaft and having a second rotary connection with the inner housing; means for individually rotating both shafts; and means for individually locking both shafts against rotation.

17. In apparatus as set forth in claim 13, said means for adjusting the outer and inner housings 1 comprising a fixed member on the frame having an opening opposite the housings; a plate having a threaded bore non-rotatably mounted across the opening; a hollow shaft having external and internal threads, the external threads engaging those of the bore; said shaft having a rotary connection with the outer housing; a second threaded shaft engaging the internal threads of the hollow shaft and having a second rotary connection with the inner housing; means for individually rotating both shafts; and means for individually locking both shafts against rotation; said plate being laterally adjustable across said opening whereby said adjustments of the housings will be independent of the setting of the impression and plate cylinders.

18. In apparatus as set forth in claim 13, said means for adjusting the outer and inner housings comprising a fixed member on the frame having an opening opposite the housings; a laterally adjustable plate havin a threaded bore noh-rotatably mounted across the opening; a hollow shaft having external and internal threads, the external threads engaging those of the bore; said shaft having a ball-bearing connection with the outer housing; a second threaded shaft engaging the internal threads of the hollow shaft and having a second ball-bearing connection with the inner housing; means for individually rotating both shafts; and means for individually locking both shafts against rotation.

19.- A running register for a rotatable cylinder secured to a driven shaft and arranged to be rotated by a drive gear comprising mechanism adapted to change the axial and rotary positions of said cylinder, said mechanism including a pair of concentric housings; the outer housing being connected to said shaft for rotation therewith, the inner housing being mounted for free endwise movement on and for rotation with said shaft and for spiral movement relative to the outer housing; means for adjusting the inner housing in endwise direction to rotatably adjust the cylinder, and means connected to the outer housing for adjusting the cylinder in an axial direction.

20. In a register as set forth in claim 19, said means for adjusting the outer housing comprising a, fixed member opposite the housings; said member having a threaded bore; a shaft having a threaded engagement with said bore and having a rotary connection with the outer housing; means for rotating the shaft; and means for locking the shaft against rotation.

21. In a register as set forth in claim 19, said means for adjusting the outer and inner housings comprising a fixed member opposite the housings having a threaded bore; a hollow shaft having external and internal threads, the external threads engaging those of the bore; said shaft having a rotary connection with the outer housing; a second threaded shaft engaging the internal threads of the hollow shaft and having a second rotary connection with the inner housing; means for individually rotating both shafts; and means for individually locking both shafts against rotation.

22. In a register as set forth in claim 19, said means for adjusting the outer and inner housings comprising a fixed member having an opening opposite the housings; a plate having a threaded bore non-rotatably mounted across the opening; a hollow shaft having external and internal threads, the external threads engaging those of the bore; said shaft having a rotary connection with the outer housing; a second threaded shaft engaging the internal threads of the hollow shaft and having a second rotary connection with the inner housing; means for individually rotating both shafts; and means for individually locking both shafts against rotation; said plate being laterally adjustable across said opening.

23. In a register as set forth in claim 19; a straight key on the shaft slidably engaging a keyway in the inner housing; and a spiral key on the inner housing engaging a spiral keyway in the outer housing.

JAMES L. BLACKLEY. WILLIAM P. V. ROSS.

REFEEEIICES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,341,202 Barber Feb. 8, 1944 1,745,467 Barber Feb. 4, 1930 2,110,272 Mayer Mar. 8, 1938 1,973,058 Gangler Sept. 11, 1934 1,850,802 Langston et al Mar. 22, 1932 1,856,363 Tuttle May 2, 1932 1,868,385 Greenwood July 10, 1932 1,745,469 Barber Feb. 4, 1930 2,174,728 Potdevin Oct, 3, 1939 2,030,028 Greenwood Feb. 4, 1936 2,121,105 Shields June 21, 1938 2,234,674 Jacobson Mar. 11, 1941 2,385,918 Heberlein Oct. 2, 1945 2,181,895 Huck Dec. 5, 1939 

